Clowney has a freakish blend of size, length, bulk and speed. At 6’6 he has the body length and long arms to be the first to initiate contact with the OT. At nearly 270lbs he has the base power to walk offensive linemen backwards and rumoured to run in the 4.5s his athleticism is absolutely off the charts.

Motor – 9

Like most big men Clowney can wear down at times, however he gives it his all on every snap. His ability to fight through constant double and triple teams comes through sheer effort at times. He also makes a lot of plays in pursuit.

Production – 10

In 2 years of college football Clowney has dominated from a production standpoint. He has 21 sacks in his freshman and sophomore years and the expectation is that he will have another double digit sack year his junior year. One of the more impressive stats though is his 35.5 TFLs in that span.

Pass Rush – 10

For a 20 year old entering his junior year Clowney has some seriously refined pass rush moves, and for a guy with his natural physical abilities that is a scary combination. Clowney wins with a variety of different moves. Watch him against Clemson walk the LT backwards with a bull rush into Tajh Boyd’s lap and get the sack. He can also win with pure speed off the edge. One of his favourite moves of mine is where he stands up and clubs the offensive lineman’s hands then rips past him. The thing that benefits Clowney the most though is his football acumen. He knows his opponent’s weaknesses. He doesn’t use different moves for the sake of it, he has the ability to set up his blocker. He may try to win with speed for 3 or 4 consecutive rushes to the point where the OT is looking for it then he will bull rush him and shed him.

Run Defense – 9

For an elite pass rusher, teams will often look over their run defense as hitting the QB is the main objective. However, whoever gets Clowney will get a guy who works on his run defense. With his long arms and great functional strength he can control his blocker at the line of scrimmage and shed to make the tackle. He had 54 total tackles last year, which for a DE is a big number. He also keeps his eyes up on contact and is able to read his keys. However he can be a little over aggressive at times and burnt by read option.

Production against Top Talent – 9

Unlike many top pass rushing prospects, Clowney doesn’t necessarily bulk up his resumé against lower calibre OTs, but he consistently produces against the best teams and best OTs. Perhaps the best individual battle of the entire year was his duel with Taylor Lewan in the Outback Bowl. Clowney was held without a sack in this game but he had a massive impact overall. Clowney also had 6.5 sacks and 24 tackles against SEC competition.

Versatility – 8

At South Carolina, Clowney predominantly lines up at right DE however has moved inside at times. At the next level Clowney should be used as an attacking pass rusher as I question his ability to go backwards in coverage should he be drafted as a 34 OLB. For attacking 4 man fronts Clowney can line up at either end spot and even move inside in packages similar to the Giants Nascar package. While I don’t think it would utilise his skills properly he could play 5 tech with his overall length and base, although he would likely need to add another 10-15lbs.

Overall – 64/70 Elite Talent

Jadeveon Clowney is one of the top prospects at any position to come out in the last 10 years. Oftentimes he looks like a man playing with boys in college. Barring a significant injury Clowney will hear his name called in the top 3 picks next April with a very strong possibility it will be with the number 1 overall pick. Unlike many other prospects it doesn’t matter what scheme a team runs whether or not they will draft Clowney, because he is the type of prospect who you build your defense around.

You draft Clowney with the idea that you are changing your defense to fit what he does. He's best utilized as a 43 DE. He could play 5 tech and he'd be studly, but he'll be out of this world as a RDE in an even front.

The QBs are going to have to come on like gangbusters to beat this guy out for #1 overall. Figures the Chiefs pick first between Luck and Clowney.

Clowney will not be the number one pick. I would almost guarantee it. Who are the likely teams to pick first? Jacksonville (Gabbert) and Cleveland (Weeden). No way they don't go QB if they are number one. How about the other teams? Arizona, Oakland, New York. The Cardinals would definitely go QB. Oakland would almost certainly, even after picking Wilson. And if Geno Smith is bad enough to lead the Jets to the number one pick, the new coach will have no problem cutting him loose.

The only way he is the number one pick is if a team trades up. But with all the teams at the top likely needing QB, they would have to trade up from 6 or 7. So expensive for a non-QB.

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Originally Posted by SolidGold

Bortlezzzzzzz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monomach

Brilliant letting one of Scott Pioli's henchmen have his own team to ruin. One of the premier GM jobs in the NFL and it gets handed to a stupid **** who makes three facepalm moves for every good one. Awesome. Just like handing a new Mercedes to a 16 year old girl who's already been in three wrecks.

Clowney will not be the number one pick. I would almost guarantee it. Who are the likely teams to pick first? Jacksonville (Gabbert) and Cleveland (Weeden). No way they don't go QB if they are number one. How about the other teams? Arizona, Oakland, New York. The Cardinals would definitely go QB. Oakland would almost certainly, even after picking Wilson. And if Geno Smith is bad enough to lead the Jets to the number one pick, the new coach will have no problem cutting him loose.

The only way he is the number one pick is if a team trades up. But with all the teams at the top likely needing QB, they would have to trade up from 6 or 7. So expensive for a non-QB.

If Jadeveon Clowney is the best player in the draft (which he should be), then letting him drop so low is dumb for the teams at the top. The teams at the top can get their quarterback after the #1 pick.

I do think it will all depend on how the QB value looks next year. Sure guys like Teddy and Tajh Boyd look like top QB prospects at this point but so did Matt Barkley and Tyler Wilson last year. My point is, unless there is a no doubt QB in April next year then I would bet money the 1st overall pick would be Clowney

Clowney's talented enough that his impact on defense could make guys like Gabby and Weeden serviceable on offense.
I just don't think you pass on a guy like him in today's game with the emphasis on passing and the need for defenders who can run and chase against spread offenses.

These QBs are going to have to be franchise type prospects, not just probable quality starters for a team IMO to pass on CLowney at this point in the top 3.

The best defensive end in the league is worthless without a franchise QB. One of the best defensive ends ever (Reggie White) didn't win a Super Bowl until his 12th season in the league. In his 8 years with the Eagles, they won the division once.

I don't care how good of a prospect Clowney is. A QB is greatly more important than a defensive end. Now, if next year's class sucks like this year's did, then yes, he will be the first pick. But I don't think it will. And if the Jaguars or Browns pass on a franchise caliber quarterback for Clowney, they are fools.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SolidGold

Bortlezzzzzzz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monomach

Brilliant letting one of Scott Pioli's henchmen have his own team to ruin. One of the premier GM jobs in the NFL and it gets handed to a stupid **** who makes three facepalm moves for every good one. Awesome. Just like handing a new Mercedes to a 16 year old girl who's already been in three wrecks.

The best defensive end in the league is worthless without a franchise QB. One of the best defensive ends ever (Reggie White) didn't win a Super Bowl until his 12th season in the league. In his 8 years with the Eagles, they won the division once.

I don't care how good of a prospect Clowney is. A QB is greatly more important than a defensive end. Now, if next year's class sucks like this year's did, then yes, he will be the first pick. But I don't think it will. And if the Jaguars or Browns pass on a franchise caliber quarterback for Clowney, they are fools.

I don't think its as clear cut as that though.

Say Bridgewater grades out similar to Matt Ryan and Clowney grades out higher than Julius Peppers. Do you still take the QB?

Taking a QB because you don't have one is a bit of a double edged sword. Yes you can't win without a good QB, but taking the best available QB one year doesn't mean he will be good enough to make you a contender.

Really, if none of Bridgewater, Boyd, Murray etc turn out to be at least a Matthew Stafford level of QB prospect then I would have absolutely no hesitation in taking Clowney

Say Bridgewater grades out similar to Matt Ryan and Clowney grades out higher than Julius Peppers. Do you still take the QB?

Taking a QB because you don't have one is a bit of a double edged sword. Yes you can't win without a good QB, but taking the best available QB one year doesn't mean he will be good enough to make you a contender.

Really, if none of Bridgewater, Boyd, Murray etc turn out to be at least a Matthew Stafford level of QB prospect then I would have absolutely no hesitation in taking Clowney

I agree with that last line there. I'll go as far as to say this guy is a lock to go #1. Closest thing to Lawrence Taylor that i've seen.

Say Bridgewater grades out similar to Matt Ryan and Clowney grades out higher than Julius Peppers. Do you still take the QB?

Taking a QB because you don't have one is a bit of a double edged sword. Yes you can't win without a good QB, but taking the best available QB one year doesn't mean he will be good enough to make you a contender.

Really, if none of Bridgewater, Boyd, Murray etc turn out to be at least a Matthew Stafford level of QB prospect then I would have absolutely no hesitation in taking Clowney

Absolutely I do. If both guys were 23 year old rookies and I had to choose between Ryan or Peppers, I'm taking Ryan every time. What has Peppers done for his teams? 4 playoff apperances in 12 years. Matt Ryan has 4 in five years. And I agree, don't just take the top available QB. If they grade out as a second round pick, of course take Clowney. But if you see Bridgewater (of whomever is the top guy) as a top-15 pick or better, you take him becuase that means he is a potential franchise guy.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SolidGold

Bortlezzzzzzz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monomach

Brilliant letting one of Scott Pioli's henchmen have his own team to ruin. One of the premier GM jobs in the NFL and it gets handed to a stupid **** who makes three facepalm moves for every good one. Awesome. Just like handing a new Mercedes to a 16 year old girl who's already been in three wrecks.

Teddy Bridgewater will be going #1 overall if he comes out. He's a top notch franchise QB prospect.

With that said -- don't understanding mentioning the Michigan game as reason to hype Clowney. He was not a "big factor overall" in that game. He made one amazing hit where the OG didn't block the right guy and got a couple of pressures, maybe, but overall Lewan won that matchup and Clowney's name was rarely called. He's still an elite DE, but just was weird you brought that game up in particular.

The best defensive end in the league is worthless without a franchise QB. One of the best defensive ends ever (Reggie White) didn't win a Super Bowl until he was on a team with Brett Favre at QB. In his 8 years with the Eagles, they won the division once.

I don't care how good of a prospect Clowney is. A QB is greatly more important than a defensive end. Now, if next year's class sucks like this year's did, then yes, he will be the first pick. But I don't think it will. And if the Jaguars or Browns pass on a franchise caliber quarterback for Clowney, they are fools.

Fixed that for you. Since you're a Bears fan, I said what you can't say.

The Eagles had Cunningham, but I don't remember him really being viewed as a franchise QB at the time. Granted, I was a young pup.

And if Geno Smith is bad enough to lead the Jets to the number one pick, the new coach will have no problem cutting him loose

I'd normally agree with this except Idzik will be staying as the GM of the Jets after this year and he was the one who made the pick so I imagine he will hire a coach who believes in Smith. I can totally see Greg Roman who was on board with Kaepernick be up for Geno Smith if interested for instance.

I don't think its a slam dunk Rex gets canned though...Woody loves him and its ideal to want to keep Marty M. so Geno isn't lost in the shuffle with another OC and all....only way Rex gets fired is if the Jets have a disastrous year(2-14/4-12) or if Woody's PSL/seats take a gigantic fault in the coming year where he has to fire Rex. That or a scandal comes out that forces Rex to get fired. Rex has 1 more year left on his deal after this year, I think he is staying for 2014 and if so...you'd have to sedate Rex on draft day to convince him out of Clowney.

Not only does Clowney fill a heavy need for the Jets but he might very well be BPA.

Fixed that for you. Since you're a Bears fan, I said what you can't say.

The Eagles had Cunningham, but I don't remember him really being viewed as a franchise QB at the time. Granted, I was a young pup.

Yeah I don't really remember that either. If I recall correctly, he was thought more of as (early) Michael Vick type, not a pocket passer, relies heavily on his running ability so they questioned if he could.

Idk I guess that depends on whether or not you considered Vick a franchise QB, I think they were viewed as them for their respective teams growing into one, but I don't think others viewed them as elite QBs that can lead them to the superbowl

I'll highlight two weaknesses of his game, since for the most part he has none:

Conditioning- Admittedly, this one is harder to gauge because of the extra talent that SC has on the defensive line. But what you can tell is that despite him being easily the best defensive player in the country, he misses a somewhat noticeable amount of snaps. Like I said, South Carolina has had Melvin Ingram, Devin Taylor, Chaz Sutton, etc. all at the defensive end position which makes giving Clowney a breather make more sense. And we also know he's not being taken out for particular scenarios, such as obvious run downs. Nonetheless, from what I've seen (literally every single game he's played), he misses a hair too many snaps to not arouse at least some questions. A completely fixable problem if it is one though, not something that should affect his stock.

Tackling- I think this is the bigger problem compared to his conditioning. Too many times Clowney beats his man and gets to the quarterback, only to not wrap him up. Will become a bigger problem in the pros going more consistently up against bigger, athletic guys who have more escapability. His tackling certainly isn't bad, it just seems sometimes he finds himself in the backfield so quickly all he does is hit the quarterback, while the rest of the defensive line is the one who finishes him off.

By the way, at spring practice he measured in at 6'6, 270+ lbs., and ran a 4.5 40.

It would take a quarterback in the Andrew Luck echelon to even justify not taking Jadeveon Clowney with the #1 overall pick.

Whaaat?

If Bridgewater is on Matt Ryan's level, you take him.. Look at what Matt Ryan has become. He's a franchise QB and the Falcons are perennial playoff contenders because of that. You pick Clowney and he becomes Julius Peppers, you're gonna be picking in the top 10 again until you find yourself a franchise QB.